As the February trade deadline draws closer, two teams that are experiencing early struggles this season have found themselves in trade rumors once again. This 2016-2017 NBA season, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers are once again projected to be heading to the lottery.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in 14th place in the Western Conference with a 7-18 win loss record. They've only won 2 of their last 10 games. Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Tom Thibodeau has said in a previous report that he's willing to trade one of his young players in exchange for a veteran player. Tom Thibodeau still refuses to give up on the season and is still hoping to be able to turn the Minnesota Timberwolves season around. That's why the Minnesota Timberwolves are always being mentioned in trade rumors.
With the Philadelphia 76ers, it's no surprise that they have a losing record once again this season and are headed to the lottery next year. The Philadelphia 76ers have a 6-19 win loss record and are dead last in the Eastern Conference. Trade rumors continue to surround the Philadelphia 76ers. With a surplus of big men in Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Ersan Ilyasova, the Philadelphia 76ers might need to let go one their big men.
Recent trade rumors have stated that the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers are in talks of a possible trade. According to the reports, the Philadelphia 76ers are trading away 6'11" center Jahlil Okafor to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In the proposed trade, the Minnesota Timberwolves are set to receive Jahlil Okafor from the Phialdelphia 76ers. In return, the Philadelphia 76ers will get point guard Ricky Rubio and shooting guard/small forward Shabazz Muhammad.
In getting Jahlil Okafor, the Minnesota Timberwolves will have another scoring threat down low that would help Karl Anthony-Towns. Jahlil Okafor together with Karl Anthony-Towns will give the Minnesota Timberwolves a twin tower combination that would give opposing teams match-up problems down low.
As for the Philadelphia 76ers, letting go of Jahlil Okafor would finally give head coach Brett Brown a clear plan on how his center rotation would be every game. The addition of Ricky Rubio would give the Philadelphia 76ers a reliable point guard while waiting for the return of their top rookie Ben Simmons. While Shabazz Muhammad would be a big help on their scoring off the bench.